Rowing machine



July 12, 1932.

F. PAREIRA ROWING MACHINE Filed June 6 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 12, 1932.

F. PAREIRA ROWING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1932 2 sheets-sheet 2 .6206 72%? Fae 3,94

ill

implication tiled June 63,

This application is a continuation in part or my copending application, Serial No. hilt 3,692, tiled April 2, 1932.-

This invention relates to a rowing machine and has special reference to an apparatus tor eiiercising in which a tensioning means is a sociated with a supporting frame to oller resistance to the energy exerted lay a user as in rowing.

ltlore particularly, this invention has rei erence to an apparatus comprising front and rear memhers connected together hy side memhers, all of which memhers are preterahly termed of sheet metal pressed into de sired shapes for assemhly into a trame to support a user, a tensioning means heing as sociated therewith to older resistance to the movements oil the hody ol the user.

lln the very nature or its use, the apparatus must he very strong and rigid since very suhstantial torce is eirerted hetween the ends oil the machine and since it must he capahle oi supporting a very suhstantial load. Generally, users oi a machine oil this character are overweight and mahe use oil the apparatus tor conditioning, although, of course, its advantages as a builder oi weight are apparen The comhination, therefore, or the sulostantial ot the user together with the lEorce which the user employs in the exercises must he horne hy the machine continually over a long period.

is an advantage to provide a machine which is eatremely light in weight tor mohllity since the apparatus is usually employed hy individuals employed in ollices and living in small apartments where space is at a premium and the machine must he stored in closets or under the hed. Therefore, a heavy eumhersome apparatus which is not readily moved hesides heing comparatively expensive is not desirahle since it would he unsightly in appearance it permitted to remain in the open and awkward to move and to place it stored. The present device has the advantage of being or, a strength and rigidity wholly capable oil withstanding any strain that may he imposed thereupon, yet oil minimum weight and compactness that it may he stored without inconvenience,

Aside from its strength and lightness weight, the cost oif construction is held minimum and is greatly less expensive prior art structures ot which a plicant aware, the cost at the material heing ahout oneditth ol the wood or cast constructions. Alter stamping and forming the in the construction, no polishing or n is necessitated as in the cast construction, nor sanding and finishing in the wood con struction. Further, the sheet metal stampings may he welded together in a permanen rigid construction obviating the necessity tor drilling, tapping and holtingas in the ahove mentioned constructions. Pieces holted or otherwise secured together, turther, are not permanent and need continual adjustment; whereas in the present construction, the welding is permanent and the life or the machine is indefinite.

The present invention contemplates the use prelerahly or a wholly sheet metal construction in which the material is of a very light weight stoelr in which there is no sacrifice in strength yet very material reduction in cost over the usual type oil rowing machine, There has heen a material reduction in the numher out parts necessary for a complete machine and a consequent reduction in cost of assembly and material. The front frame memher is, extended upwardly to give the correct positioning oil the tensioning memhers with the result that-a single stamping is only necessitated. Certain deformations in the material oi the frame memhers give the mo essary rigidity to the construction which ohviates the necessity for heavier stoclr.

The provision ot grooved portions in the inverted ll-shaped traclrs over certain lengths gives a required strength that obviates the necessity for heavy castings or solid wooden rails. lt may al o he stated that there is'less friction imparted to the usual ruhher wheels of the movable seat in the use oi the inverted ll-shaped rails than the cast or wooden rails adding to the lite ol' the wheels when a movahle seat is employed; Further, wooden rails warp and make impossible for wheels to traclt correctly,

@ne ol the ohiectn olf this invention is to for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention ref- 'erence may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which latter:

Flgure 1 is a top plan view of-the rowing machine embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig-- ure 1, showing in dotted lines a seat member thereon;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

' Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of Figure l;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central sectional view of a fragmentary portion of the rowing machine shown in Figure 1 taken on the line 55 thereof;

Fig. 6 is'a vlew similar to Fig. 5, taken on the line 66 of Figure 1; I

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the adjustable connection for the strap member.

Referrin now more particularly to the drawings, the device of this invention comprises a rear frame member 1, a front frame member 2, and side rail frame members 3. Suitably guided in the front frame member is a flexible connection 4 intermediate an operating handle 5 and a spring or springs 6 connected to the rear frame member.

In the present embodiment, the frame members are so formed and related they may be welded together to comprise a unitary rigid sheet metal structure, the upper surface of each side rail being channelled or dished, to receive rollers of a seat, the latter being indicated by dotted lines at 7, Fig. 1.

The front frame member is formed of a single sheet of metal having opposed openings at- 8 forming a plurality of arms 8a which are inclined upwardly in advance of a horizontal plate-like section 2a. The edges of arms 8a are bent down to form flanges 8b and the side margins of the plate-like section 2a are bent downwardly to form continuing flanges of the flanges 8b of the outer arms. Opposed flanges 8b of the center arm 8a are apertured to receive a bearing member shown in the form of a stud 9 headed at one end and threaded at the opposite end to receive a nut 10, the stud serving as a bearing for a preferably channeled roller 11 for receivin a tensioning member in the form of a flexi le connection 4, in the present embodiment, a strap. The transverse marginal edges of the plate-like member 2a are bent downwardly to form flanges 2b and 2c, the flanges 2?; being formed continuously with the inner flanges 8b of the arms 8a.

The upper front portion of the front frame member is provided with a central depression by pressing in the metal to form opposed flanges 12, these flanges being apertured to receive stud 13 headed at one end and threaded at the other end to receive a nut 14, the stud 13 serving as a bearing for a channeled roller 15 which receives a flexible connection 4 and guides the same over the top of the frame members.

The studs 9 and 13 may also serve to hold in position a guiding means in the form of a guard plate 16, the latter being U-shaped in cross section.

Side rails of the device are metallic members each formed of a plate bent to inverted U-shaped cross section, the top of the member of each rail being depressed to form a run way 3a for the rollers of a seat indicated in Figure 1 in dotted lines at 7. It will be noted that the guideways preferably extend only between points intermediate the front and rear frame members and not over the entire length thereof for rigidity.

Each side rail 3 is placed so that the runway 3a lies uppermost, as shown in Fig. 6, and one depending flange of the rail is placed adjacent the flange 8b and is secured thereto by welding, riveting or both. In the present embodiment, the connection is preferably by welding. In addition to welding the side rail to a side flange of the front frame member, it may be welded to the undersurface of said member or may be.riveted thereto.

The rear frame member 1 comprises a sheet of metal formed with an inwardly extending flange 1a, inwardly extending side flanges 1b and referably, an inwardly extending bottom ange 10, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7. The metal of frame member 1 is inwardly depressed to provide a shoulder 17 which shoulder is perforated with annular openings at 18, each opening merging into a slot which runs down into the metal below the shoulder.

The flexible connection 4 at its rear end is carried by a socket member 19 which receives the headed ends of attaching members carried by springs 6. At its rear end, each spring 6 carries a headed attaching member 20, the head of each attaching member being slightly less in diameter than one of the annular openin s 18 and the shank of the at-' taching memIer being of slightly less diameter than the width of the slot which merges into the annular openings. Theretore, the head at the attaching member'dll be passed through an annular opening 18 and then moved downwardly so that the shoulder acts as a latching shoulder to hold i the attaching member in position as shown in Fin: 5.

lllach side rail 3 is moved upwardly until top meets the upper ot the rear ame member and one side oi the rail abuts a side tlange ot' the rear blame member and in such position the rail is secured to the top side flanges, preferably by welding. lloth trame members may have supporting test or legs connected thereto, As to the trout lira-me member, each leg may comprise h-shaped braclret 2hr welded to the hlange 8b as shown in Fig. l and having secured there by any suitable means such as bolt 2%, a foot 23a oil rubber or other suitable ma terial.

lln case oil the rear trams member, the legs or test 2dare ot rubber or other material may be secured directly to the lower tlange ct said trame member,

ln order to gain the advantage oi lightness in weight in the use ot a comparatively thin stoclr, the plate-Lille member, on which the entire weight of the user is disposed in the employment of the machine in several ol conditions oil use, is provided with determations 2t pressed out ot the material at the member. These deformed portions may, as shown in the drawings, eatend longitudinally transversely oi the member although the formations may be varied considerably and achieve substantially the same result. Also, the arms 8a are prel erably provided with longitudinally extending deformations 22 trorn and preferably including a portion ot' the plate-like member to the upper ends thereot.

ln order to give the necessary correct positioning ot the tensioning member and at the same time provide for a single stamping, trout end of the lront frame member is inclined upwardly to receive the upper rollmember which changes the direction o'l pull on the tensioning means. will be noted trom the showing in d that the handlet is pulled in the opposite direction trom the direction oi: pull ot the coil springs 6 and directly against the trout end or"- the frame member and that the strain against the torward end oil the casting, therefore, is a substantial one. lly reason oil the construction of the application, the torce enerted against the trout end may be withstood indefinitely by comparatively light weight stoclr cl material.

lit will be seen that in the device, the side rails are suspended by the front and rear lrame members and that the trout frame member lies above the side rails, the latter being within the tlanges ot the trout frame member and lying within the flanges ot the rear trams member.

till

la the use or the machine, the opposed openings in the front member preterably bounded at-their tops by a cros bar against which the lest oi user rest and clearance is given for heel portion.

out each loot by said openings. lllanged al sur'l'aces on the edges oil the crossbar, pret erably formed continuously the flanges oil the. arm, strengthen the structure and provide smooth surtaoes. The outer and up per oi the inclined trout section ol' the trams member strengthen the device and adord a pleasing contour, By depressing the metal at the top the inclined section of the front trams member to 'lorm opposed flanges, a novel seat connection tor the guide roller is provided without the nece sity of applying brachets.

It will also be noted the inner oi the opposed recesses and upwardly inclined section of the front trams member lord protection over the lower guide roller,

Also, by forming an upper shoulder in the rear frame member provided with an annular aperture merging into a slot formed in the metal below the shoulder, an ideal means ct attachment is provided tor the headed stud of the spring or springs. The primary elements of the structure, that is to say, the trout and rear frame members and side rails, are so formed that they may be pressed out of a single piece o'lE sheet metal,

Another leature oi; this invention resides in the provision out an adjustable attachment between the soclret member lb or the multiple spring catch and the llenible connection or webbing ln prior constructions, so tar as applicant is aware, the webbing passes through a loop of the connecting member and the end thereot is liaedly attached to intermediate portion oil the webbing by means ct eyelets or stitches. A single thiclrness or webbing, therefore, contacts directly with the metal which ordinarily is a sheet metal clamping having sharp edges, The webbing becomes worn in a comparatively short time and brealrs, necessitating stitching or otherwise securing the same by the user who does not necessarily have the proper facilities tor this repair. Ordinarily, the strap with the attached handle and attached multiple spring catch are sent back to the manufacturer to have the repairs made or the strap replaced. lln the present construction, all that is necessary tor a user to do is to write -tor a new strap.

present invention a double thiclmess ct webbing passed through the opening or the connecting member lit and is adyustably connected thereto whereby any wear be talren up in strap and the strap shortened or lengthened, as desired, tor specific exercises. further emlanation or latter statement, there are various exercises which demand longe strap others ill till

ltlll llh and, conversely, some exercises require a much shorter strap than others. Therefore, it is very much to be desired that the strap be conveniently and readily adjustable to the tensioning means, and/or to the handle. Referring now more particularly to Fi of the drawings, the multiple spring catc 19 preferably comprises a sheet metal stamping formed with a lurality of apertures 22a for receiving headed ends of the spring members 6. The member 19 is substantially L- shaped having an a erture 23 at one end thereof, the other en lying in the same plane and having enlarged openings of suflicient size to receive the heads of the springs 6. The transverse portion of the member 19 l ing between the end ortions is suflicient y wide to receive the iieads of the screwsand the a ertures are extended from the enlarged 2 opening 24 across the transverse portions to permit the shank adjacent the head of the sprin to pass, thereby providin for a detacha lo enga ement between t e spring members 6 an the member 19.

The strap 4 is threaded through a link 26 and thence through the opening 23 in the member 19 back through the link and forwardly through the aperture 23 to have the free end of the strap threaded again through the link 26. A pull, therefore, on the strap 4 binds the link 26 against the end of the member 19 and prevents disengagement of the strap and the member. It w1ll also be noted that an aperture may be provided in the handle 5 for the same purpose that the aperture 23 is provided in the member 19, whereby an adipstable connection between the strap and andle is provided. It will be further noted that there are two thicknesses of the stra which pass through the aperture 23 and t at by merely allowing a certain amount of slack in the strap 4, the link 26 may be pulled away from the end of 'the member 19 whereby the strap may be threaded further into the link, or may be pulledthereout to provide any length of stra V1ile but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the s irit and scope of this invention and, there ore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim;

1. A rowing machine comprisin a front frame member a rear frame mem r, sides connecting said front and rear frame members said front frame member being formed of sheet metal having an upwardly inclined front portion with at least one opening forming a plurality of flanged arms, said arms having longitudinally extending deformed portions intermediate the sides thereof, guiding means on said front frame member, a

foot rest disposed on said arms and supported thereby, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

2. A rowing machine comprisin a front frame member, a rear frame mem er,-sides connecting said front and rear frame members said front frame member being formed of sheet metal having an upwardly inclined front portion with at least one opening forming a plurality of flanged arms, guiding means on said front frame member a foot rest disposed between said flanged arms and supported thereby, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

3. A rowing machine comprisin a front frame member a rear frame mem er, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame memberbeing formed of sheet metal having an u wardly inclined front portion with oppose openings forming a plurality of arms having flanges on the opposed sides thereof, said arms having longitudinally extending deformed portlons intermediate the flanges thereof, guiding means on said front frame member, a foot rest disposed between said flanged arms and supported thereby, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

4. A rowing machine comprising a front frame member'a rear frame-member, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed of sheet metal having a plate-like rear por tion and an upwardly inclined front portion with at least one opening forming a plurality of flanged arms, said arms having longitudinally extending deformed portions intermediate the sides thereof extendin from said plate-like portion, said plate-1i e portion having deformed portions within the outer confines thereof, guiding means on said front frame member, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

5. A rowing machine comprisin a front frame member, a rear frame mem er, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed of sheet metal having a plate-like rear portionand an upwardly inclined front portion with opposed openings forming a plurality of arms with flanges on the edges thereof, said plate-like ortion having flanges on all sides thereof with the forward flanges thereof being continuous with the flanges of said arms, a foot rest disposed between said arms and supported thereby, guiding means on said front frame member and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

6. A rowing machine comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member, sldes connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed I of sheet metal having a flanged plate-like rear portion and an upwardly inclined front portill lid

intense as tion with at least one opening forming a plurality of flanged arms, a foot rest formed of sheet metal and supported by said flanged arms, guidin means on said front frame member, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

l. A rowing machine comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed sheet metal having an upwardly inclined front portion with at least one opening formplurality of flanged arms, guiding means supported by said arms and disposed between the flanges thereof, and tensioning means passing over said guiding means.

ll rowing machine comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed of-sheet metal having an upwardly inclined front portion with opposed openings forming plurality of flanged arms, a roller supported by one of said arms and disposed between the flan es thereof, a guide plate supported by said last mentioned arm and di posed between the flanges thereof adjacent said roller, and tensioning means passing over said roller and under said guide plate to be held against displacementthereby.

5*. ll rowing machine comprising a front member, a rear frame member, sides connecting said front and rear frame members, said front frame member being formed of sheet metal having an upwardly inclined front portion with opposed opening forma plurality of flanged arms, a roller supports l by one of said arms and disposed between the flanges thereof, a flanged guide plate supported by said last mentioned arm and disposed between the flanges thereof adjacent said roller, and tensioning means passover said roller and under said guide pl to between the flanges thereof be held displacement thereby,

lll. A rowing machine comprising metallic side rails, ll-shaped in formation, a rear frame member having side flanges, a front frame member formed of a sheet of metal having a platelike rear section and an upwardly bent front section, the'latter being formed with opposed apertures having downwardly extending flanges and the side margins and top of the frame member being made similar flanges, tensioning means connected to the rear frame member, guiding means carried by the front frame member for said tensioning means, the side rails being connected to the front frame member within its flanges and below its upper surface and having connection with the rear frame member,

Ill, A, rowing machine comprising a frame having front and rear members, til-shaped rails connecting said members, said rails and said members being formed of sheet metal, said front frame member having an upward" ly inclined front portion with opposed openings forming a pluralityof flanged arms, a foot rest and guiding means'disposed between said flanged arms and supported thereby, said rear frame member being flanged for connection with a side and the top wall of each of said rails, and tensioning means secured to said frame and extending over said guiding means.

12. A rowing machine comprising a frame having front and rear members, i l-shaped rails connectin said members, said rails and said members eing formed of sheet metal, said front frame member having an upwardly inclined front portion with opposed open ings forming a plurality of flanged arms, a foot rest and guiding means disposed between said flanged arms and supported thereby, said rear frame member being flanged for connection with a side and top wall of each of said rails, and having hey slots therein, and tensioning means having headed studs for detachable engagement said hey slots,

13., A rowing machine comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member, side rails connecting said front and rear frame members for receiving the wheels of mow able seat, each. of said rails being or sheet metal of inverted ei-shaped cross-section extending within the conflnes of said ont and rear frame members to be comiected thereto, the upper edge of said lbshaped rails being dished over the longitudinal length of said rails, a. foot rest and gniding means on the front frame members, and ten sioning means passing over said guiding means. 7

M. h rowing machine comprising metallic side rails, ll-shaped in formation, a rear frame member having side flanges, a front frame member formed of a sheet of metal having a platelilre rear section upwardly bent front section, the latter being formed with opposed. apertures downwardly extending flanges and the side margins and top of the frame member being made with similar flanges, a spring connected to the rear frame member, a handle, a flexihis connection intermediate the spring and the handle, guiding means carried by the front frame member for said flexible con nection, the side rails being connected to the front frame member within its flanges and below its upper surface and having connec tion with the rear frame member.

15. it rowing machine comprising a rear frame member, a. front frame member, rails connecting said members, a spring carried by the rear frame member, a handle and a. flexible connection intermediate the handle and the spring, a front frame member being formed of sheet metal having a plate-like lllll ltll rear section and an upwardly inclined front 16. A device constructed in accordance with claim including a guide plate held intermediate the flanges which support the lower guide roller and held in position by the bealin for said guide roller.

1 and rear metallic frame members each formed of a single piece of sheet metal, side rails connecting said frame members, each rail being formed with a piece of sheetmetal bent to form a hollow body comprising depending side walls and an upper wall, the upper wall being channeled to provide a runway for seat rollers, the rear frame member being formed with vertical and horizontal flanges welded to the side rails, the front frame member being formed with vertical flanges welded to the side rails, the front frame member comprising a rear plate-like structure and a forward upwardly inclined structure having opposed apertures bounded by downwardly extending flanges, a spring carried by the rear'frame member, a handle, a flexible connection intermediate the handle and the spring,-- and a guiding device carried by the front frame member for the flexible connection.

18. A rowing machine comprising a frame member, tensioning means having one end connected to saidframe, a flexible member extending from said tensioning means, an attaching member having an aperture and an adjustable connection for said flexible member for determining the length thereof comprising a closed link, said flexible member extending through said link and through said aperture in said attaching member, thence back through said link and forwardly thereover through said aperture with the free end passing through said link.

19. A rowing machine comprising end members, side members connecting said end members, one of said end members being formed of sheet metal having a deformed portion on an upwardly extending wall thereof, said deformed portion forming a shoulder at the point of extension thereof from said wall, said wall having an enlarged opening communicating through said shoulder with a reduced slot extending at least to sa-idshoulder, and tensioning means, including a headed member connected thereto, said head being adapted for insertion through said opening, the portion of said member adjacent said rowing machine comprising front tending wall of said rear frame being deformed between the flanges thereof, and a tensioning member connected to saidwall.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

- FRED PAREIRA. 

